Kristian Nairn, best known for his role as Hodor in HBO’s Game of Thrones, recently reflected on the emotional impact of his character’s death during a phone interview with UPI. This poignant scene aired in Season 6, coincidentally on Nairn’s 40th birthday.
“In a twist worthy of Game of Thrones, they killed me off on my 40th birthday. That was intense,” Nairn, now 48, shared as he prepares for the release of his memoir, Beyond the Throne. He explained that while he was eager to explore new career opportunities after six years on the show, he also felt a growing dread about leaving behind the cast and crew he considered family.
Nairn portrayed Hodor from 2011 to 2016, a character who could only say one word—”Hodor.” This limitation stemmed from a childhood brain injury, which viewers only fully understood during his tragic death while saving Bran Stark, played by Isaac Hempstead Wright. Nairn expressed surprise at the deep affection fans had for Hodor. “The showrunners believed he would be a character people really connected with,” he said. “I thought, ‘Really? He’s just a glorified wheelbarrow!’ But as I embodied Hodor’s loyalty and courage, viewers seemed to resonate with him.”
Reflecting on his time in the iconic costume, Nairn admitted he disliked it. “The costume was sweaty, heavy, and smelly,” he recalled. “When it was finally taken off for good, it felt like removing a thorn from my leg.”
Despite the challenges of filming, Nairn remains close with his Game of Thrones family and often sees them at fan conventions. He humorously noted that he and George R.R.
Martin often bond over being “the grumpy, white-haired men” at these events.
As for the Game of Thrones prequel series House of the Dragon, Nairn has been an enthusiastic viewer. “It’s really good,” he said. “It has the essence of Game of Thrones with an extra dose of dragons.”
In addition to his work on Game of Thrones, Nairn is also known for his role as Wee John Feeney in Taika Waititi’s comedy series Our Flag Means Death. He expressed disappointment over HBO’s recent cancellation of the show after two seasons but emphasized that the cast remains close-knit.
“I feel like our pirate crew is lost at sea,” Nairn said. “I hope we can reunite someday in a different setting—perhaps on a starship or in an office.”
Nairn enjoys engaging with fans at conventions and appreciates their support. However, he joked about the physical toll it takes on him:
“After smiling for 12 hours straight, my face gets sore!”
In discussing his memoir, Nairn acknowledged that it was challenging to encapsulate his journey. “I’ve always loved writing,” he said. “I structured the book to connect my life stories with my experiences on Game of Thrones and my music career.”
He hopes readers will find comfort in his honest accounts of struggles, including battles with substance abuse and self-acceptance. “It’s important to be yourself,” he advised. “It took me a long time to learn that lesson.”
Nairn’s story is one of resilience and transformation, showcasing how an unexpected role can change one’s life trajectory forever.
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